Sooner or later, most parents lose a kid— usually for only a few minutes. Even if it’s brief, the experience is heart-stopping. And it’s given rise to a whole new industry— GPS tracking for kids.

Some parents turn to GPS because the world seems scarier than it was when they were kids. Others want an electronic yenta who can keep an eye on children (and their caregivers) when parents can’t be there. Still others want a better way to supervise and enforce family rules about safety. For those who really can’t take care of themselves— very young children, kids with disabilities, even pets or elders with dementia— tracking devices may provide peace of mind.

For children, that can be a problem. Experts point out that tracking devices can encourage both passivity and a false sense of security in children as well as parents. As parents find themselves counting on surveillance, they may be less intentional about helping kids anticipate and avoid risks. Instead of learning what they need to know to navigate confidently and safely in a risky world, kids depend on the panic button that summons Mom.

Before utilizing GPS technology, consider these questions:

What does it do? Some trackers, such as Trax, do nothing but show location. They can be attached to children, elders, pets or even a laptop that tends to wander off. Many units resemble watches or function like flip phones.
What’s the technology? Tracking units that use GPS depend on satellites and some provide coverage pretty much anywhere on the planet. Other devices use the cellphone network so they won’t work if the child wanders out of range. Still, other devices like My Buddy Tag use Bluetooth technology. Their reach is limited, though that may be just fine if you’re trying to keep tabs on a child in the backyard or your local park.
What does it monitor? At the very least a tracking device should pinpoint a child’s location. Some send a signal at intervals; others allow continuous tracking though that may drain the battery. Many units make it possible to set up safety zones or geofences and send an alert if the child goes beyond those boundaries.
Is it complicated? For very young children, simplicity is a virtue. Tinitell, for example, is a band with a button. If a child pushes the button, the device calls preprogrammed numbers until someone picks up. Check the app as well as the device. If it has lots of features, be sure customer support is readily available.
How long is the battery life? Even the best tracker won’t work if the battery is dead. Find out how long the battery lasts, how it has to be charged and whether there’s a low battery alert.
Is the device secure? If you have to sign in to get information about your child’s location, it’s possible for other people to sign in, too. What precautions has the company taken to prevent hacking? What kind of alerts will you get if there is a security breach? What kind of communication is possible? Some units have a big panic button a child can press. Some allow one-way communication.
Will your child wear it? Trackers such as HereO feature bright colors that may appeal to a pre-schooler and be decidedly uncool in elementary school. Check bands to be sure they are flexible and won’t cause irritation. And think about how big the device is in relation to your child. Multi-feature devices may be too bulky for little wrists.
How much does it cost? Tracking devices range from $40 to $200. Many devices also require a monthly service contract that can cost from $4 to $40 per month. Before signing with a new service, check your existing cell phone provider to see if they offer a better deal on a device.

Some kids may benefit from additional supervision, but parents must keep their eyes on the ultimate goal— raising children who are responsible and confident enough to make their own decisions about staying safe in a complicated world. That, of course, can be done without a tracking unit.

October is National Exzema Awareness month so we thought
it’d be helpful to share a few tips and tricks for treating this
itchy, sometimes painful medical condition.

What is eczema?
The term “eczema” is used to describe a wide set of medical conditions that result in itchy or inflamed skin. More than 30 million Americans are afflicted with eczema, including 10 to 20 percent of all infants and children.

Most kids who suffer from eczema typically outgrow the condition by the time they’re 10 years old, but for some, the itchy skin can precede other allergic conditions. Currently, there is no cure for eczema, but there are treatments and home care tips that can help relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks.

What are the symptoms of eczema?
It’s important to know that eczema symptoms can vary from one patient to the next, but the most common symptom of the condition is itchy skin. While eczema is most common on the face and extremities (i.e. back of the knees, wrists, hands or feet), the condition can cause symptoms anywhere on the body.

Some common symptoms of eczema include:

• Inflamed, red, itchy skin
• Overly sensitive, thick, dry, cracked or scaly skin
• Red or brown patches on the face, arms, and legs
• Tiny bumps, which may ooze fluid and crust/scab over if scratched
• Areas of raw, sensitive, swelling skin

Itch symptoms can range from mild to severe. It’s common for patients to get stuck in the “itch-scratch cycle” – a cycle created by a patient itching the affected area, which increases inflammation and excites the nerves, leading to more itching and more scratching. It’s important to try and minimize scratching, especially with children, because it can lead to open sores and increased risk of infection.

What are the treatments for eczema?
While there is no cure for eczema, there are very effective treatments available to control the disorder including over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription topical medications, immunosuppressants, and biologic drugs, with more treatment options being developed all the time.

Some basic guidelines to manage outbreaks of the most common
types of eczema:

• Identify the triggers and exacerbating factors and avoid
  them whenever possible
• Implement a consistent daily bathing and moisturizing regimen
• Avoid harsh soaps and detergents

If you or your child experiences discomfort that disrupts your sleep or daily activities or if you develop a skin infection, it is time to see a
board-certified dermatologist.

Dr. Michael Dreifke is a board-certified dermatologist with Bravia Dermatology who
specializes in medical dermatology, skin cancer screening and treatment, and cosmetic/laser surgery. For more information visit www.braviaderm.com/education.

Heroin and opiate addiction is an epidemic in northwest Ohio. Fatal drug overdoses are the leading cause of death in our state while kids experiment with drugs at younger ages. The trend crosses all socioeconomic strata. How can parents provide the tools kids need to stay away from drugs, to stop this epidemic in its tracks? Toledo Parent talked with Bill Geha , OCSPSII, ICPS (Sylvania School District), CCDCA, who provided ideas on how we can all come together to protect our kids.

Just ask– an active interest

Geha has learned from experience that kids turn to drugs and self-destructive behaviors when they have no one to talk to, or feel like nobody cares. “A lot of kids self-medicate, because it works. I have kids who struggle, good kids from solid families who don’t know how to handle certain things and are afraid to tell their parents, so they self-medicate, or they start cutting, or they attempt suicide,” Bill Geha says.

“When I work with kids, I sense they sometimes are just saying the right stuff. I slide a mask over to them, and say ‘When you’re ready, put this on, and tell me the truth. If people really knew you, what would you want them to know?’ Sometimes for the first time, they will tell what they are going through. The key is being aware. We need to teach our kids, How do you get out of bad situations? What are your options? What is your purpose? Who are you? What do you love to do?”

Geha became a certified drug counselor in 1989. As an educator for several decades, he felt increasingly helpless with the pervasiveness of the drug problem. Geha, now co-director of America’s Pride Drug Prevention Team of Toledo, runs the organization that has been nationally recognized three times. Travelling throughout the United States and Canada teaching drug prevention and awareness, Geha also founded the nationally recognized PEACE Project (Protecting Every Abused Child Everywhere), a student-led mentoring program in support of kids who are victims of bullying or have difficulty fitting in. “This is the best prevention tool because it gives kids a sense of purpose. I have kids in recovery that I ask to be a part of the project. I tell them, to work with me, you have to be drug free,” Geha says.

Marijuana and
perception of harm

Geha warns that the danger of marijuana use is often downplayed, especially as its legalization continues to gain momentum. “There’s a perception that marijuana use is okay. In suburbia parents say ‘It’s no big deal. I did it when I was their age.’ Marijuana use is bigger than people think; a lot of kids are experimenting. Kids feel invincible. Marijuana users may want to try something else. They turn to pills (opiates). Then they want to try heroin.”

More than ever before, parents must be aware what their children are doing and who they are spending time with and have access to. “Drug dealers are constantly moving so they don’t get caught. I’m currently working with three local suburban girls who got involved in human trafficking for drugs (heroin and cocaine). They were targeted by a guy who was soliciting on Facebook,” Geha reveals.

Once is all it takes

The strongest risk factor for heroin addiction is the abuse of prescription opiate or opioid medications, often obtained from unknowing friends or relatives. Once using prescription pills, users often progress to heroin, which is cheaper and more readily available. It often takes just one use for heroin to establish its unrelenting grip.

One of Geha’s teaching tools is a stark reality check. “I take kids on a tour of the Lucas County jail, I have them smell the fresh air outside. Inside the jail, the air is different. I tell them, in 1.5 hours, you can leave; the inmates can’t. Then I take them through the mental health unit where the inmates detox, and have them speak to inmates… Once an inmate told them, I was a heroin dealer. If you died using, I wouldn’t care. I’d find someone else to sell to. When we leave the jail, I take them to the cemetery.” Geha says the experience is an eye-opener.

The PEACE Project’s
recipe for success

What began as a group of 14 students from Northview and Southview high schools in 2007 has grown to an impressive 1,000 members from high schools across Northern Ohio. Cornerstone values of the group include team building, respect for others, and development of self-esteem. Members of the group write letters to a kid who may be struggling with bullying, illness, or disability, in a united effort to build them up. And it’s working. The group’s motto: “You’re not alone. There are people who care. Please ask.”
Geha shares, “Through my work with troubled students, I witnessed the devastating effects that bullying can have on a child’s life. One of the most rewarding experiences of running the PEACE Project is being able to witness firsthand the transformation that takes place in the participants. When the students arrive they are generally very shy, keeping to themselves. By the end of the day the students take on a new attitude. Through ongoing mentoring, students’ attitudes toward school change drastically.”